Appointon (Fr.). A sort of poniard which was used in ancient times.
Apprehend. In a military sense, implies the seizing or confining of any person; as, to apprehend a deserter, etc.
Apprenti (Fr.). Apprentice. Formerly in the French service they had apprentices or soldiers among the artillery, who served for less pay than the regular artillerymen, until they became perfect in their profession, when they were admitted to such vacancies as occurred in their respective branches.
Approach. The route by which a fortified place or military position can be approached by an attacking force.
Approaches. The trenches or covered roads by which the besiegers convey ordnance, ammunition, and stores, and march troops to and from the parallels; also the trenches by means of which the successive parallels are established.
Appropriations. For the support of the U. S. army are made annually; the bill for the same must originate in the lower house of Congress. The English army is raised by the queen, and maintained by annual appropriations by Parliament; the system for the support of armies is much the same throughout Europe. In the United States, the term is also used by post and regimental councils of administration in the expenditure of funds.
Appui. See [Point d’Appui].
Apri, or Apros. A small town in Thrace, on the river Melas, where the daring leader of the Catalonians, Berengar de Rocafort, defeated the Greeks under the Emperor Michael, 1307.
Apron. A piece of sheet-lead used to cover the vent of a cannon.
Apulia. A province in Southeast Italy, conquered by the Normans, whose leader, Guiscard, received the title of Duke of Apulia from Pope Nicholas II. in 1059. After many changes of masters, it was absorbed into the kingdom of Naples in 1265.